Vacuum



.1. c COULOMBE. VACUUM FUEL FEED DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED'OCT. 27, 1915.

Patented June 27, 1922.

2 SHEETSSHEET l.

Fig. 2-

IN VE/V TO R .Lsqa]: 6'. ou/0222130,

,4 ITTOHNEY J. C. COULOMBE.

VACUUM FUEL FEED DEVICE. APPLICATION FILED 06T- 21.1915.

1,421,067, 7 Patented June 27, 1922.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

WITNESS IN VEIV TOR JOSEPH C. C OULOMBE, OF LOWELL, MASSACHUSETTS.

VACUUM FUEL-FEED DEVICE.

Specification. of Letters Patent.

Patented June 27, 1922.

Application filed October 27, 1915. Serial No. 58,253.

To all w/zom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH C. CoULoMBn, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Lowell. in the county of Middlesex and State of li las'sachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Vacuum Fuel-Feed Devices, of which the following is a specification. 7

The invention relates to liquid feeding devices and is more particularlyadapted for raising a liquid from a comparatively low level to a high level, and distributing said liquid from the high level to apparatus in which it may be used. It is designed more especially to be operated under reduced atmospheric pressure produced in any desired manner, as for instance, by thepiston of an engine of a liquid hydrocarbon type. i

The main object of the invention is to produce a simple, effective apparatus which will be entirely automatic in its action and which will, without the use of complex valve systems, control the suction effect with reference to the fluid to be raised and distributed.

A further object is to provide a combination float and valve which, acting under its buoyancy and in conjunction with controlled sub-atmospheric pressures, automatically control the flow of a fluid.

A further object is toprovide a device having a suction chamber, a float chamber and a delivery chamber so combined and associated that a single float and attached valve will directly control the degree of suction in the suction chamber, the flow of liquid to said chamber and the disposal of the liquid to the distributing chamber.

The present invention is analogous to, but an improvement upon the device of a copending application, Se. No. 32,927, filed June 8, 1915, entitled Fuel feeding and carburetting mechanism.

In said application there is described a device in which the float controls the atmospheric air valve which intermittently opens and closes for providing a closed suction chamber or breaking the vacuum in said chamber, thus controlling the flow of fluid into the suction chamber and from the suction chamber to the distributing chamber. In this prior device a number of valves were required, and the suction was produced by connecting the suction chamber with the manifold ofa gas engine.

The present device contemplates connection of its suction chamber directly with one of the cylinders of a gas engine and has marked advantages as I hereinafter set.

forth.

Furthermore, its float controls the passage between the suction chamber and the dis tributing chamber, thusdoing away with. some of the dlsadvantagt-is of various valvesof the prior application.

Referring to the drawings Fig. l is adiagrammatic view illustrating a possible disposition of the parts upon an automobile;

Fig. 2 is a similar view in fragmentary form illustrating a device as it might be apis a vertical section through the open, it not infrequently happens that the feed device and carburetor are drained, owing to the fact that there is comparatively little suction in the manifold. In fact, there are many instances in which such a condition may occur. Obviously, the manifold is opened through the carbureter, and the degree of vacuum depends entirely upon the suction in the manifold which connects the various cylinders.

In the present device, an arrangement is shown for connecting the vacuum chamber directly with one of the cylinders so that the full force and effect of the suction strokes of the piston are made available for the vacuum chamber of the device. Although this produces an intermittent suction available only upon the suction stroke of the engine, the controlling valve and mechanism of the feed device is so arranged that a perfectfeed of fuel can be secured.

There is no failure of the device to draw up the. liquid into the vacuum chamber and there. arerno. atmospheric valves and delicate parts which might become disturbed and inoperative under the rough usage imposed upon such a structure when used upon a vibrating automobile or other device.

The distributing chamber is constantly under atmospheric pressure through an open atmospheric connection and there is a valve controlling the single passage connecting the distributing chamber and the suction chamber, which valve is operated by a fioatin the suction chamber. This valve serves to control the flow of liquid from the suction chamber to. the distributing chamber and serves the furtherfunctionof equalizing the relative. pressures existing. in the distributing chamber, which is open to atmosphere, and. the suction chamber, which is constantly under the action of suction and has a reduced atmospheric pressure. The opening of the valve increases the pressure in the suction chamber to .an extent sufficient to permit the contents thereof to flow by gravity into the distributing chamber.

Ofcourse, it is not impossible to utilize,

the present structure with a connection to the manifold as was done in the prior application referred to, but it is quite possible and preferable to make the connections directly with the cylinder.

In. the accompanying drawings, the numeral 1, denotes a cylindrical casingwhich is. divided into a suction chamber A, and a distributing chamber B, by a partition 2. The structural form of this casing may be of any desired material and type. No attempt has beenv madein the drawings to illustrate a finished formhof casing such as was shown in. any prior application.

The distributing chamber B, is connected throughra-hollow bolt 3, with. the atmosphere through ports 4, which communicate with a splash pot 5, having openings 6, at or near its top.

As illustrated, the bolt 3, is screwed into a-nipple in the partition 2, and has a shoulder 7, which engages the bottom flange 8, of

the splash pot. Its upper end is plugged.

with a screw-9. This arrangement prevents any possible splashing of liquid from the atmospheric opening 6, inasmuch as thesplash pot 5, will temporarily hold any liquidthrown through the ports 4, said liquiddripping back through. the ports into the chamber B.

concentrically arranged within the chamber A, is a downwardly extending tube 10, whichprovides a float chamber C. This chamberC, is closed at its top and the lower end is closed and opened by the fluid which forms a liquid seal.

Centrally arranged in the partition 2, is a valve opening 11, having a valve seat 12,

upon which rests a disk valve of suitable character 13.

This valve 13, is controlled by a float D, and has a stem 14, extending through the guide 15, in the center of the float. The guide 15, has shoulders which form a stop against which the head 16, of the valve stem 14, will impinge when the float rises.

-A centrally located tube 17, extends upwardly from the float and encircles a guide and bearing pin18, which projects downwardly from the upper end of the casing.

A spring 19, is. arranged at-the underside of the guide 15, and over the disk ofthe valve. This gives a resilient connectionbetween the valve and the float and prevents unseatingof the valve when the parts are under vibration.

The float D, extends upwardly into the lower end of the chamber C, and is provided on its lower side with a baffle-plate 20, which projects beyond the walls of the chamber C, and thereby prevents the entrance of air bubbles to said chamber. The baffle-plate diverts the bubbles which pass up into the chamber A.

The upperend of the casing is provided with a nipple-21, within which is'arranged a valve seat 22, and a suitable check-valve 23. In the form illustrated, a ball-valve is employed which is prevented from undue rise by a pin 24.

The nipple 21, though a conduit or pipe 25 is connected with the engine cylinder, and anipple 26, through a conduit or pipe 27, forms communication between the suction chamber A, and the fuel supply tank E. The lower distributing chamber B, through a nipple 28, and connecting conduit or pipe 29, connects the distributing chamber B, with; the carburetting device F.

In Fig. 2 a detail sectional form of carbureter F, is illustrated with an overflow connection to the fuel tank E, to provide a constant level. for the fuel chamber of the carbureter.

The valve 23, acts as a check-valve for the vacum chamber A, and heavy duty upon this valve is very much reduced by a special check-valve at the engine head which controls the pipe 25.

In place of the ordinary pet-cock, a special form of T connection 30, is employed in the cylinder head 31, and the pet-cock 32 is screwed into the upper end of the T.'

Extending into the T is a flanged nipple 33, which is held in place by a union nut 34, which also gives a tight connection for the end. 35, of the pipe 25.

The inner end of the flanged nipple 33, provides a valve seat 36, for the valve 37. Encircling the nipple 33, is a valve cage 38, which has a perforation 39, which provides a suction port and a perforation 40, which serve to effectively unseat the valve 37, upon from its seat upon the first movement of the piston, and full suction is produced in the pipe 25, during the whole stroke. Immediately uponj'the return stroke of the piston, the valve 37, is set back upon its seat. In the meantime, the check-valve 23, maintains the reduced atmospheric condition in the suction chamber A.

This suction is sufficient to draw up liquid from the tank E, through the pipe 27, of the suction chamber A. As the liquid rises in the chamber A, it forms a liquid seal be wee said chamber. and the float chamber C. During its rise, the float will rise until the head 16, of the valve stem 14, is engaged by the stop 15 carried bythe float, which slightly raises the valve 13, from its seat 12.

Thereupon, air entering through the atmospheric opening-6, will bubble up through the liquid in the chamber A, partially reducing the vacuum in said chamber.

Then a sufiicientquantity of liquid has been drawn into the chamber A, the float will rise still higher but, of course, the rise and level of the liquid within the chamber C,',will not be as rapid as it is in the chamber A. As soon as the level of the liquid in the chambers A and C, has risen sufficiently to raise the float D, to fully open the valve 13, the contents of the chamber A, will drop into the distributing chamber B, due to the inrush of air through the now openedvalve L3said air bubbling up through the liquid of the chamber A.

As soon as the suction in the chamber A, is sufficiently reduced, the liquid of said chamber will fall by gravity into the chamber B, and as soon as its level is below the bottom of the casing 10, of the chamber 0, the liquid seal of said chamber is broken and the float will drop, closing the port 13. This operation of filling and feeding is, of course, very rapid and maintains a substantially constant volume of liquid in the distributing chamber B.

l/Vhere the device is used with a constant level carburetting device such as described in my prior application above referred to and such as illustrated in Fig. 2, any overflow from the carbureter will be carried back into the main fuel tank E.

In Fig. 2, the casing 1, is illustrated as mounted above the carbureter F, and has its suction pipe 25, connecting with the manifold 25. Its fuel pipe 27, is connected with the tank E, and the distributing pipe 29, communicates with the carbureter F, which is provided with an overflow duct 29 communicating with the main tank E.

It will be seen from the above that the device is even more simple than that of the prior application referred to and has no specially controlled atmospheric port. It

has a single valve controlling the main port between the suction chamber and distributing chamber. This single valve controls the flow of fluid from the suction chamber to the distributing-chamber and controls the equalization of pressures between said chambers as it is actuated by the float.

Thus, the controlling valve may be of comparatively large and substantial character and operates more certainly than the delicate atmospheric air valves heretofore contemplated. This is due to the float and inverted chamber which will control the valve which passes the liquid to the distributing chamber and permits the passage of air to the suction chamber by which the evolution of breaking suction and passing liquid under gravity is evolved.

Of course, the exact details of construction and the exact form of the valves may be to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a liquid feeding device, in combination a-suction chamber, a distributing chamber,said suction chamber closed except for the connection with a source of suction and a source of liquid supply, said distributing chamber being always under atmospheric pressure, a valve opening between the two chambers, a valve controlling said valve opening, and a float controlling said valve dependent upon the rise and fall of level of fluid in the suction chamber, said valve controlling the flow of liquid from the suction chamber to the distributing chamber and controlling the reduction of suction in the suction chamber to permit said flow under gravity.

2. A liquid feeding device having a suction chamber constantly under sub-atmospheric pressure and a distributing chamber constantly under atmospheric pressure arranged to receive the contents of the suction chamber by gravity, connections for causing a suction within said suction chamber, a

'fluid supply connection through which said chamber receives liquid under the action of the suction, a normally open atmospheric opening to the distributing chamber, a valve pnessurecin the suctionchamber and a flow -;a. suction chamber, a distributing chamber,

afloat controlling chamber arranged within the suction chamber, a float extending into said chamber, a: valve opening intermediate theusuction' chamber and distributing chamber, asnonnially open atmospheric connectionv for-thedistributing chamber, a valve controlling the 'valveopening between the.

suctionpand distributing chambers and controlling the; passage of atmospheric air from. the distributingv chamber to the suction chamberv and controlling the flow of liquid between saidchambers, a float arranged within the float. chamber connected with and controlling said valve, said float dependent for itsraction upon the: level of liquid in the suction chamber, and the float chamber, and thelowering of the level of liquid of the suction: chamber: below the float chamber.

4. Inna. device of the character described, a suction chamber, means for producing suction in. said. chamber, a distributing chamber open; to atmospheric pressure, a valve opening intermediate the two chamhere, a float chamber arranged in the suction chamber and closedexceptfor its opening at: its, loweryend into the suction chamber, a float extending into said float chamber, a .valvelnormally covering the valve opening between: the suction and distributing chambers and-connected with and controlled by the float, said valve and float adapted to rise. and reduce the degree of suction in the A suctionchamber during a rise of the level of the-liquid in said chamber and adapted to\.'permit:the-flow under gravity, of the contents of said chamber to the distributing chamber while the level of the liquid in saidsuction chamber is above the lower end of the float chamber whereby said float while buoyant in the liquid of the float chamber permits admission of air to the suction chamber for a predetermined period and closes its controlled valve upon a lowering ofrthe liquid below the bottom of the float chamber.

5. In a device'of the character described,

a suction chamber closed except for a suction connection, a liquid supply connection, and a valve controlled connection with a distributing chamber hereinafter specified, means fonproducing suction, a liquid supply located below the suction chamber, a distributing chamber open to atmospheric pressure, a valve opening between the dis tributing: chamber and suction chamber, a normally closed valve controlling said connection, a float'controlling said valve, said valve andfloat controlled by the level of liquid within the. suction chamber and controlling the flow of liquid from said suction chamber to the distributing chamber under gravity. and controlling the reduction of; suction in the suction chamber, whereby the relative pressures between the suction chamber and distributing chamber are sufliciently equalized to permit aflow of the fluid of the suction chamber :to the distributing chamber.

6. In a device of the character described,

a suction chamber and a distributing chamber, the former connected with a: source of suction and witha source of liquid supply, the latter normally opened to the atmosphere, a float in the suction chamber controlled by the level of the liquid therein, a valve opening'between'the suction and distributing chambers, avalve controlling said. opening and controlled-by said float, said. valve controlling the flow of liquid from the suction chamber" to; the distributing chamber and also controlling the flow of atmospheric'air from the distributing chamber to the suction: chamber whereby=thesuction of said suction chamber and the-level of liquid therein is automatically controlled.

7. In .a. device of the character described, a suction chamber and a distributing chamber, a valve controlled passage between. said chambers, a valve controlling said passage, a suction connection and a liquidsupply connectionwfor the suction chamber, an atmospheric connection normally open. for the distributing chamber, and a float combined with and governing thervalve, said valve forming the S018: means oticontrollingthe. flow of fluid from the SUCtIOHwttD the distributing chamber and-the admission oii atmospheric pressures to. the suction chamber as it is moved by the float upon rise and fall of level of liquid in the-suction chamber.

S. Inna device of the character described, having aesuction chamber connected with a suction .device and with a source of liquid supply, a single valve controlling the flow of liquid from. said chamber, and the introduction of atmospheric .air. thereto. a float controlling chamber arranged in the suc tion chamber, and =means including. a float and the float chamber for controlling said valve upon variations in the level of the liquid ofthe suction chamber and'the degree of vacuum in the suctionchamber.

9. In a fuel feeding device for gas engines arranged above a source of supply and adapted to receive liquid by suction and distribute said liquid by gravity to a carbureter, in combination, a suction chamber, a

float in said chamber, and a valve actuated check valve arranged in the connection at the cylinder of the engine, said check valves (to-operating to maintain partial vacuum in the suction chamber, and a connection from the feeding device to the carbureter of the engine. a

10. A liquid feeding device arranged above a source of liquid supply and adapted to feed liquid by gravity, said device hav ing a suction chamber, and means for controlling distrlbutlon of liquid drawn into the suction chamber, a direct connection from the suction chamber to the suction device, and means in said connection for preventing back pressure from the suction device entering the suction chamber, said means comprising a' checkvalve in the connection at the suction device and a check valve in the connection at the suction chamber.

11. A liquid feeding device arranged above a source of liquid supply and having a suction chamber, an interior float chamber closed ex ept as to its bottom and adapted to be closed and sealed by the liquid in the suction chamber, a float in said float chamber, a distributing chamber controlled as to its source of supply by the float of the a suction chamber v a float hamber arranged v in the suction chamber and closed except as to its bottom, said chamber adapted to be closed and sealed by the liquid in the suction chamber, a float in said float chamber, a valve controlled by said float, said valve controlling the degree of suction in the suction chamber and the flow of liquid therefrom, a distributing chamber controlled as to its source of supply by the valve and float of the float chamber, a direct suction connection between the suction chamber and a suction device, and a valve at-each end of said connection, said valves opened only upon suction produced in the suction device.

13. A liquid feeding device consisting of a suction chamber, a distributing chamber to which liquid is fed from the suction chamber by gravity, a control chamber within the said suction chamber, means for producing a suction in said suction chamber, float operated means including a valve for sufliciently equalizing the relative pressures of the suction chamber and distributing chamber to permit the liquid of said suction chamber to flow by gravity to the distributing chamber, and a float influenced in its actionby said control chamber for periodically operating the valve and float operating means,

14. A liquid feeding device consisting of a suction chamber, means for producing suction in said chamber, a distributing chamber constantly under atmospheric pressure adapted to receive the liquid of the suction chamber, a control chamber within said suction chamber, float operated means for sufliciently equalizing the relative pressures of the suction chamber and distributing chamber to permit a flow of liquid from the suction chamber to the distributing chamber by gravity, and a float arranged in the control chamber and connected with the float operated means.

I 15. In a fuel feeding device for engines 1n combination with a supply tank located at a low level and a carbureter arranged at a higher level, a fuel receptacle arranged at a level higher than the supply tank and carbureter and formed with a suction chamber and a distributing chamber, a connection from the suction chamber of the fuel receptacle to the supply tank, a connection from the distributing chamber of the fuel recepta'cle to the carbureter, for delivering liquid by gravity thereto, a connection from the suction chamber to the engine cylinder for producing sub-atmospheric condition or suction for the suction chamber at all times during the operation of the engine, an air inlet for periodically breaking the suction in the suction chamber, a valve controlling said air inlet, said valve having a comparatively large area and controlling the gravital flow of fuel from the suction chamber, and a float actuating said valve, to break the vacuum of the suction chamber, or close said chamber for the establishing of a vacuum effect therein dependent upon the rise and fall of the level of fuel in the fuel tank, and controlling the passage of said fuel from the suction chamber.

16. In a liquid feeding device in combination with a main liquid supply tank at a low level, a liquid supply receptacle located above said tank, said receptacle closed except as to the connections hereinafter set forth, viz, a connection from the liquid supply receptacle to the main tank, an exhaust connection for the supply receptacle for producing sub-atmospheric conditions therein, and an opening through the bottom of the receptacle, a chamber connected with the supply receptacle to receive and dis tribute by gravity liquid discharged from the supply receptacle through the opening last mentioned, an atmospheric inlet connected with the distributing chamber, avalve controlling the communication of the receptacle with the distributing chamber, a float device in said receptacle, an operative connection therefrom to the valve for opening and closing the latter according to the height of liquid in the receptacle.

17. In combination with a supply tank located at a low level, a liquid supply receptacle located at a level above said tank, a liquid supply connection 'from the tank to the receptacle, a suction connection for the receptacle for producing a sub-atmospheric pressure therein and a connection With a distributing chamber through which liquid is discharged from the supply receptacle, said liquid supply receptacle being closed except for said connections, and a valve controlled connection between said receptacle and a supplemental distributing chamber, a supplemental distributing chamber for receiving the liquid discharged from the supply ieceptacle by gravity, an atmospheric connection opening to the upper portion of the supplemental chamber, a valve controlling the communication of the liquid supply receptacle With the distributing chamber, a device in the receptacle operated by the rise and fall of level of liquid therein, operative connections from said device to the valve for positively opening and closing the valve, said valve and the passage con-- trolled thereby and connecting the liquid supply receptacle and distributing chamber being substantially large to permit rapid discharge of the liquid of the fuel receptacle and'permitting the passage of air into the liquid supply receptacle during the flow of l-i-quid from said receptacle to the distributing chamber.

18. In combination with a main low level liquid supply tank, a liquid supply receptacle located at a level higher than said tank and closed except for a fuel connection, a suction connection, and a discharge con nection, said discharge connection being open to atmospheric pressure, a suction con nection for reducing the pressure in the higher liquid supply chamber below that of atmosphere, a connection from said receptacle to the main fuel supply tank, an atmospheric connection extending to the discharge connection of the supply chamber,

a valve controlling the admission of atmosphere to the supply chamber andtheflow of liquid from said chamber, and means within the chamber actuated by the rise and fall of liquid therein for opening and closing said valve.

19. In combination with a main low level liquid supply tank, a liquid supply receptacle located in a plane above said tank and closed except as to the connections hereinafter indicated; a supplemental chamber connected with said receptacle for discharge of liquid by gravity from said receptacle into said supplemental chamber; a supply connection from the main tank to said receptacle, and an exhaust connection-to said receptacle for reducing the pressure therein below that of the atmosphere; an'atmosphere inlet connection to the upper part of said supplemental chamber; a valve controlling the communication of said receptacle with said supplemental chamber, and means in said receptacle for opening and closing said valve at predetermined high and low levels of the liquid in said receptacle.

20. In combination with a main low level I liquid supply tank, a liquid'supply receptacle located in a plane above said tank and closed except as to connections hereinafter mentioned; a liquid supply connection from said tank to said receptacle; a supple mental chamber, connections from said receptacle to said supplemental chamber for discharge of liquid by gravity from the receptacle into the chamber; an

exhaust connection to said receptacle for re-- JOSEPH C. COULOMBE.

\Vitnesses VVARREN A. BrsHoP, J. ALBERT Hose. 

